Modifying Local Files Using HTML5 and JavaScript

Question

Is there any way I can use HTML5 and JavaScript to modify a file on my system? I'm OK with running Chrome or Firefox with specific options or opening permissions in some other way.

Ideally I would like test this by having my browser rename a file on my desktop.

possible duplicate of [Write local file with jQuery or Javascript](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2090747/write-local-file-with-jquery-or-javascript) — mplungjan, Jun 23 '11 at 16:01

score 6 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 23 '11 at 16:00

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Yes, you can do this, this link details some of the available functionality:

http://www.html5rocks.com/en/tutorials/file/filesystem/

Just remember, it's not supported in the major browsers yet, and it's likely when it is many of your visitors will not upgrade for quite some time.

answered Jun 23 '11 at 16:00

Jeremy Morgan

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It looks like this only gives you access to a sandboxed filesystem – Kirk Ouimet Jun 23 '11 at 16:23
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Here's some text from the link: It's important to remember that this file system is sandboxed, meaning one web app cannot access another app's files. This also means you cannot read/write files to an arbitrary folder on the user's hard drive (for example My Pictures, My Documents, etc.). – Kirk Ouimet Jun 23 '11 at 17:31
@Kirk: That's actually a Good Thing. Would you like just any ol' webpage to access your documents? Like, your personal data? I wouldn't, for one. – Piskvor left the building Aug 29 '11 at 14:56
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@Piskvor For my particular use case I'd like it to have access to approved directories in the file system – Kirk Ouimet Sep 03 '11 at 18:41
Cool side note: Google Chrome is building an in browser editor. https://github.com/GoogleChrome/code-editor-app – Michael J. Calkins Sep 05 '13 at 16:32

score 3 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 23 '11 at 17:55

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No, as this would be a security vulnerability. As pointed out there are sandboxed file systems, or local database storage in HTML5, but not access to the whole file system.

You could achieve it with a certified Java applet, if you really wanted to achieve it through the browser. To be honest the browser is not the best place to be trying such things.

answered Jun 23 '11 at 17:55

Tak

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Java applets are no longer supported, so I would use the [File System Access API](https://web.dev/file-system-access/) to modify local files instead. – Anderson Green Feb 15 '22 at 22:36

score -1 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 23 '11 at 20:55

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VBScript should be appropriate in your case. You will have to lower your internet zone security level though.
Once it's done just use ActiveXObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject") and its MoveFile method.

answered Jun 23 '11 at 20:55

Knu

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That's not html, its proprietary internet explorer trash – Sevin7 Jun 09 '14 at 18:24
@Sevin7 check [kirk's comment](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/6457041/modifying-local-files-using-html5-and-javascript/6460493#comment7587715_6457041) – Knu Jun 22 '18 at 12:29
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internet explorer tr... treasure! :straight-face: – nodakai Jul 19 '18 at 09:45
Which is no longer supported by anyone, not even MS – Liam Dec 15 '22 at 13:36

Modifying Local Files Using HTML5 and JavaScript

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